e-Journal Earth Science India Vol.2 (I), January, 2009, pp.

46- 51
http://www.earthscienceindia.info/; ISSN: 0974 - 8350

Taxonomic Placement of a Holectypoid Echinoid Genus

Srivastava and Singh, 2001

D. K. Srivastava
Centre of advanced study in Geology, University of Lucknow,
Lucknow – 226 007
Email: sirdkdr@rediffmail.com

Abstract
A holectypoid echinoid recorded as indeterminate genus and
species by Srivastava and Singh (2001) from the sediments of middle
Eocene exposed near Bermota, Kachchh (Gujarat), India is redescribed
and identified as Amblypygus pentagonalis Duncan and Sladen, 1883.

Introduction

Srivastava and Singh (2001) recorded an unnamed holectypoid echinoid from

the sediments of the Fulra Limestone Formation (middle Eocene) exposed about five
km northeast of Bermota village (680 36’ 10”: 230 28’ 05”), district Kachchh
(Gujarat), India (Fig. 1). Subsequent observations on the specimen of this
indeterminate form showed its affinity with the genus Amblypygus L. Agassiz, 1840
(Wagner and Durham, 1966; Smith, 2008). The present note redescribes this form
as Amblypygus pentagonalis Duncan and Sladen, 1883.

Fig. 1: Geological map of Kachchh (part) showing fossil locality (after

Biswas and Raju, 1973)

The present study examined the previously described taxa recorded by

Srivastava and Singh (2001) from the Fulra Limestone Formation (Middle Eocene)
exposed in the vicinity of the Bermota village, southwestern Kachchh. Because of
limited observations and experience, earlier the specimen could not be assigned to
Taxonomic placement of a holectypoid echinoid genus Srivastava and Singh, 2001: Srivastava

any genus and species and thus named in open nomenclature. Here a detailed
description and new illustrations are provided, allowing identification as Amblypygus
pentagonalis Duncan and Sladen, 1883. Associated with this species are bivalves
(Corbula sp., Ostrea sp.), gastropods (Turritella sp., Dentalium sp.) and other
echinoids such as cassiduloids (Echinolampas) and spatangoids (Schizaster and
Meoma). The foraminiferal fauna associated (e.g. Nummulites perforatus,
Truncorotaloides topilensis, T. rohri and Orbitilinoides beckmanni) indicate a late
Lutetian-Bartonian for the Fulra Limestone Formation.

Systematic Palaeontology

Order Echinoneioida Jensen, 1982

Suborder Echinoneina H. L. Clark, 1925
Family Echinoneidae Agassiz and Desor, 1847
Genus Amblypygus L. Agassiz, 1840
Amblypygus pentagonalis Duncan and Sladen, 1883
(Fig. 2. a-f )

Indeterminate genus Srivastava and Singh; Srivastava and Singh, 2001. p.

32, pl. III, figs. 1-4.

Fig. 2: a-f Amblypygus pentagonalis Duncan and Sladen, 1883 (Scale bar =
5.0 mm), Specimen No. LUGD/I/2029; a. Aboral view; b. Apical disc
with joined oculars 1 & 5; c. Oral view; d. Petals I & V showing plates
and conjugate pores of poriferous zones; e. Lateral view; f. Petal V
near ambitus.
e-Journal Earth Science India Vol.2 (I), January, 2009, pp. 46- 51
http://www.earthscienceindia.info/; ISSN: 0974 - 8350

Material: One specimen (No.LUGD*/I/2029) (*Lucknow University, Geology

Department).

Description: Test large, sub-pentagonal in out line, depressed, dome shape with
steep anterior and posterior slopes; maximum width levels with the tips of petals II
& IV. Apical system central, small, compact, tetra basal. Genital plate 2 extends
posteriorly separating genital plates 1 and 4. Genital pores small, rounded and have
almost identical diameter; the anterior genital pores are closer than the two
posterior ones. Ocular plates five in number, small, quadrangular in shape except I
and V which are longer than broad, rectangular in shape and touching each other;
each ocular plate is perforated by a very small circular ocular pore. Ambulacra
petaloid to sub-petaloid and slightly rose from the surface of the test; petal III is
narrowest and smallest while petals I & V are longest and broadest. The poriferous
zones are well developed and increase in width from apex, maximum in the middle
and gradually close near the ambitus; the inner pores are small, circular and
arranged in a straight linear series whereas the outer ones are elongate transversally
(elongate anisopores). These pore pairs are conjugated with a transverse grooves.
Ambulacral plates are pseudo-compounding, consisting of simple and demiplates.
The periproct lies inframarginal and is longitudinally oval with its maximum diameter
larger than that of the peristome. The peristome excentric anteriorly, is triangular in
shape, obliquely placed along the 2-V direction and lies in a depression. The
imperforate, crenulated tubercles are densely placed on the oral surface while these
are scarce on the aboral surface.

Measurement (in mm): Specimen No. LUGD/I/2029

Length of the test: 75.1
Breadth of the test: 70.0
Height of the test: 40.0

Ratio between length, breadth and height: 1.0 : 0.93 : 0.53

Length Breadth
Petal
III 42.0 9.5
II & IV 44.0 10.0
I&V 45.0 11.0

Maximum diameter of peristome: 14.5

Minimum diameter of peristome: 7.5
Maximum diameter of periproct: 18.5
Minimum diameter of periproct: 9.0

Remarks: Earlier, Duncan and Sladen (1883) recorded A. pentagonalis from the
Nummulitic sediments of Kachchh (Kirthar of Grant, 1840 and Wynne, 1872) and
now it has been reported from the sediments Fulra Limestone Formation (middle
Eocene) exposed near Bermota, Kachchh, India. The present specimen, however,
differs from A. pentagonalis Duncan and Sladen, 1883 in having a test with steeper
anterior and posterior slopes and an apical system with oculars 1 & 5 touching each
other. A. pentagonalis Duncan and Sladen, 1883 resembles to A. americanus Desor,
1858 described from the Miocene sediments of Caribbean and the United States
(Cooke, 1959) but it differs from A. americanus in having more steeper anterior and
Taxonomic placement of a holectypoid echinoid genus Srivastava and Singh, 2001: Srivastava

posterior slopes of the test (dome shape) and by the position of the periproct. The
periproct is close to the posterior ambitus in A. pentagonalis whereas, it lies at
midway between the posterior ambitus and the peristome in A. americanus. This
shifting of the periproct in Amblypygus may be attributed to the ontogeny and
evolution, as the case in the Echinocymus where the periproct shifts from the
posterior ambitus towards the peristome in the geologically younger forms.
Locality: About five km northeast of Bermota village, Kachchh (Gujarat), India.
Horizon: Fulra Limestone Formation (Middle Eocene).

Repository

The described specimen (No. LUGD/I/2029) has been deposited in the Museum of
the Centre of Advanced Study in Geology, University of Lucknow.

Acknowledgements: The author expresses a deep sense of gratitude to the Head of the
Centre of Advanced Studies in Geology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow for encouragement,
fruitful discussions and facilities. He is obliged to Dr. Andreas Kroh, (Natural History Museum,
Vienna, Austria) for suggestions and thankful to Shri Vijai Kumar Soni, Research Assistant,
Centre of Advanced Studies in Geology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow for help in the
preparation of this paper. The financial assistance sanctioned to the author from the
Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi (Project No. SR/S4/ES: 163/2005) is
thankfully acknowledged.

References

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